Mental Hospitals and Social Theorists

A short time ago there appeared a 126-page monograph modestly entitled “Psychosis and Civilization” and written by Herbert Goldhamer and Andrew Marshall. This rather specialized statistical study, which would ordinarily be discussed only in the technical journals, was reviewed, somewhat surprisingly, in Commentary (December, 1953) by Nathan Glazer, who voiced an unqualified admiration for the work. I say, somewhat surprisingly, because Commentary in its “Study of Man” department often criticizes social science research and seldom applauds it. That Glazer should have felt so enthusiastic about this little book is cause for a certain curiosity.

“Psychosis and Civilization” is, within limits, an ad...